THE SPEC YOU’VE SEEN those bumper stickers that read: “Yd Rather Be Sailing.” Following half an hour over iced tea with Scott Macey, I had the feeling he should have one made up that reads: “I’d Rather Be Fishing.” One of two North Vancouver gifts to the Vancouver 86ers — the other being Steve McDonald —— Macey has two loves when it comes to physical activity. The other, of course, is soccer. Back with the 86ers after mis- sing the 1993 season because of a tort. abdominal muscle and subse- quent operation, he is one of the team's brighter lights in a 2-2 sea- son so far. An old friend (of mine) and independent observer. who once upon a time played the game for money and goes by the name of The Boot, offers this assessment: “The lad has good skills, a good shot and a fine work rate. Most importantly, he has it under the left nipple,” an inelegant way of say- ing he has a big heart. Of his fishing prowess, The Boot knows nothing. He is not a fisherman. But Macey most certainly is. The 86ers’ first road trip of the SPORTS Macey trolls through life Jim Kearney season earlier this month took them to Florida and a 2-1 shootout loss to Fort Lauderdale. But the lasting memory of that trip was the day off coach Carl Valentine gave the team. Scott and fishing buddy Rick Celebrini spent the day on the water, where they caught two sail- fish, a barracuda and a hammer- head shark. “Eve never had a day like it.” Macey recalls. “1 wanted to keep one of the sailfish as a trophy, but when f was told it would cost $1,500 to stuff it, I said ‘no thanks’. Had he been a hockey or base- ball player, no sweat. Pocket change. But the reality of professional soccer in Canada is that it’s really semi-pro; players must have a sec- ond income in order to eat — and in his case, buy fishing tackle and a boat to go with it. He and Celebrini jointly own a 20-footer and, as of last Friday, it - looks as if Rick will get to use ita lot more this summer. The defend- er tore knee ligaments in that over- time loss to Los Angeles. No more soccer this year, but more time for fishing. Macey, who supplements his income at the family-owned sport- ing goods store in the Park and: Tilford Centre, plays soccer for the same reason he goes fishing. It's a love affair. Money is secondary. He made that obvious with his reply — “What? And give up fish- ing?’ — to the suggestion that he might enhance his succer future and income by going to Europe or the UK to try to catch on there. “I've not really given it any thought. Soccer is something I enjoy. When you become an all- out pro, then it becomes work. I’m not kidding, [ really do love hav- ing the time to reiax and get out on the water with some fishing tack- le.” It's a habit he developed as a tad (he’s now 21) when he spent his summers at Secret Cove, up Sechelt way. During his school years, a needs Not Everyone q youth of all sports —- rughy, wrestling, skiing on Grouse (“I wanted to be a racer, but soccer interfered”) and baseball. His dad, Gerry, who had played a lot of soccer himself, convinced him he should concentrate on one sport and do it well. Macey chose soccer, which is hardly surprising. Atter all, his dad fas his coach. At the youth level, he played for North Van United, Lynn Vailey, the B.C. Under-16s and fer the Canada Under-16 squad that went to the World Cup in Scotland: “We didn’t do welll. Started off against defending champion Nigeria. We weren't good enough.” He began training with the 86ers when he turned (6, then made it on the Canadian team try- ing for a berth in the 1992 Olympics at Barcelona. Canada didn't make it. On his way to getting a crack at Bob Lenarduzzi's national team, which narrowly missed qualifying for the just-ended World Cup championship, he tore that abdom- inal muscle. And that’s how the importance of fishing and relaxation came into the converstion, for it was pointed out to him that the nats were large- ly made up of Canadians who had chosen to go overseas to hone their skills in tougher, more sophisticat- ed competition than is available in the American Professional Soccer League. Nonetheless, he'll be staying home and continuing to play in the midfield for the 86ers. “He can make the national team from here,” says Valentine, “as long us we play quality socer here.” Some might question ihe APSL quality after a month of watching the best in the world on TV, but that doesn’t bother Macey. The main thing? He’s having fun. Two goals and an assist in the 86ers’ first four games; named APSL Player of the Week in the first week of the season. - And, of course, two sailfish, a shark and a barracuda. Get Free Airconditioning or An Equivalent Value Credit of $1500 REGENCY AUTO GROU T, reef $199/mo. 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